Arts Worker Extension Program 2010-11 (Pilot Program)

The ANKAAA Arts Worker Extension Program is an intensive professional development program for eight high achieving, long serving Indigenous Arts Workers from the ANKAAA membership. The group includes two Arts Workers from each of ANKAAA’s four regions, Arnhem Land, Darwin/Katherine, the Kimberley and the Tiwi Islands.

The Arts Worker Extension Program contributes to ANKAAA’s overarching strategies to support sustainable Indigenous owned and operated Art Centres for its members. The program is designed to increase the arts worker’s professional skills and industry networks to further their careers in Top End Indigenous Art Centres. Darwin-based intensive training sessions, work-place support, field trips, cross-regional exchanges, short-term interstate industry placements, and nine month mentorships to strengthen each participant’s capacity to achieve their goals within the Indigenous arts sector.

ANKAAA also supported Art Centre managers to develop position descriptions and identify ongoing funding sources to support viable career pathways for the participants. Each participant received a laptop computer and a wireless Internet modem through which they communicate as a group, build support networks across regions and the arts industry.

Partnerships to support Arts Worker industry placements have been established with leading institutions including: National Gallery of Australia, (Canberra), Museum of Contemporary Art (Sydney), Art Gallery of NSW (Sydney), Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory, Art Gallery of Western Australia, National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne), The Centre for Cultural Material Culture (University of Melbourne), and Sydney College of the Arts (University of Sydney).

ANKAAA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia & recognises their continuing connection to land, waters & community. We pay our respects to them & their cultures; & to elders both past & present.